Category Petrology

Detailed study of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, focusing on origin and composition

Petrology: The Science of Rocks

Petrology field study and laboratory analysis showing geologist examining rocks in the field and petrographic microscope with rock samples in a laboratory environment

Introduction Petrology is a fascinating branch of geology that focuses on the study of rocks—their composition, origin, and history. While most people see rocks as simple stones scattered on the ground, each rock contains a story of Earth’s formation and…

What Is a Rock? Definition and Types

Feature image showing the rock cycle with igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks forming a continuous cycle.

Rocks are one of the most fundamental components of the Earth. From the mountains we see on the horizon to the stones beneath our feet, rocks shape the planet’s surface and preserve its long geological history. Understanding what a rock…